Environment - Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, Minister of Environment has commended the German Federal Environment Agency for its offer of assistance to Nigeria in areas of waste management, pollution and desertification.
Receiving the President of the Federal Environment Agency of Germany Mr. Jachen Flasberth, in Abuja, the minister observed that environmental challenges in the country were mainly in the areas of waste management, drought and desertification, erosion and flooding.
She noted that Nigeria's large population generated enormous solid and other wastes which could be more efficiently and profitably managed and converted to wealth.
She stated that acute desertification in the northern parts of the country posed huge threats to livelihoods, peaceful coexistence and security in the areas, as communities were forced to move to new locations, leading to conflicts.
She expressed the hope that Nigeria could partner with German investors in meaningful, pragmatic and concrete ways in solar energy and waste management to encourage state and local governments to embark on similar projects in their areas.
She disclosed that opportunities for private and public sector investments from Germany abounded in the trans-Saharan Great Green Wall Project.
She stated that the Federal Government had evolved various action plans to ensure hitch free collaboration with state, local governments and grassroots communities in the implementation of various environmental programmes.
Speaking earlier Mr. Jachen Flasbarth commended Nigerians active participation at the climate change action coalition platform and the Doha 2012 Climate Change Conference in Qatar.
He expressed the hope that Nigeria would continue to play her leading role in environmental affairs across the continent and the globe. He expressed the readiness of Germany to share her experiences with Nigeria in the areas of renewable energy.
By Alex Abutu
Daily Trust/14/03/2013